The Tampa Bay Rays avoided protecting left-handed pitcher Cristopher Sanchez by trading him to the Philadelphia Phillies for infielder Curtis Mead. The Phillies added Sanchez to the 40-man roster.
Cristopher Sanchez
Tampa Bay originally signed Sanchez in 2013 out of the Dominican Republic. He's never been able to crack the upper minors. The 6'5" lefty is incredibly lean, listed at 165 pounds, and likely very close to that number.
Sanchez worked primarily as a starter until this season. Once put into a bullpen/swingman role after a July promotion, Sanchez saw his stuff tick up, with his low-90s fastball working consistently in the mid-90s and his sharp slider working in the mid- to upper-80s. Both pitches play as above-average pitches on their raw velocity and movement.
The time in the swingman role has really allowed Sanchez's slow-slow-snap delivery to REALLY play up, as hitters get lulled to sleep a bit in his slow delivery, then surprised by his explosion to the plate. The improvement was notable enough that many figured Sanchez would go in the Rule 5 draft if left unprotected. Instead, he will likely open in Double-A in the Phillies system with a chance to impact the Philadelphia bullpen by the end of 2020 if he's left in that role.
Curtis Mead
Mead was signed by the Phillies out of Australia in May of 2018.
The lanky Mead stands 6'2" with long levers for his height. He was moved quickly from full-time shortstop, where he was originally signed. However, he's not found a true home since, working at second base, third base, and left field along with some time at short. Mead has a strong arm that's fairly accurate and he has good first step instincts, but he can sometimes get caught up in his long legs as he ranges to a ball.
At the plate, Mead really began to find his stroke in the Gulf Coast League in 2019. He has above-average raw power and while he doesn't have great take-off speed on the bases, once underway, he is an above-average runner. Mead's swing is surprisingly compact considering his long levers, and that could allow him to access his power very well.
The Rays have had success with similar offensive profiles in the past, so this is a potential player they could work with. He'll likely open in an advanced short-season league or spend time at extended spring training before opening the 2020 season in low-A at 19.
Trade analysis
This is a rare trade that is positive for both teams. The Phillies get a lefty arm that could potentially help in 2020 without being forced to carry him in the majors all year (if they'd have selected him in the Rule 5 draft). The Rays get a young bat that has shown very well in his short time as a professional and is currently pounding the ball in exhibition games for the Australian Winter League. A potential win-win.